Portable Reusable Straw and Method of Transporting the Same

ABSTRACT

A portable straw that is encased in a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve attaching to a connector sleeve that is fused with the surface of the straw and not to the straw sections themselves. The connector sleeve and the cap functions as a handhold to deploy and retract the straw without touching the surfaces of the straw that are submerged inside a cup or exposed to user&#39;s mouth. A convenient harness made of elastic band may be deployed along an arm of a user for holding the portable collapsible straw when not in use.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims benefit of the earlier filed U.S. Provisional Utility Application for a Patent No. 63/049,613 filed on the 8^(th) day of July 2020, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reusable drinking straw, that may be collapsed or extended without the use of hands. Furthermore, described is an adaptation for conveniently and stylishly transporting a reusable straw when not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The usage of disposable plastic eating implements has been widely recognized as a significant source of pollution. The ubiquitous plastic straws have been particularly maligned due to their propensity in being ingested by marine life forms, who then succumb to starvation and disease linked to the presence of plastic straws in their digestive systems.

An alternative solution to using plastic is using biodegradable products. However, manufacture of these products usually involves paper, which puts and additional strain to an already strained supply of timber, as recycled materials are not always available or suitable for the purpose. Furthermore, biodegradable straws have been shown to be less durable and more expensive than the plastic alternative, making them less appealing to the average consumer.

At the same time, beverage consumption by using straws is not going away any time soon. Entire industries and the means of dispensing drinks has been built around the usage of drinking straws. Therefore, while an average consumer recognizes the problem caused by plastic straws, they are not ready to give up on drinking straws altogether. Therefore, there is a growing need created by responsible straw drinkers to obtain reusable straws that are portable and hygienic.

Several examples of such straws exist in the market. Many such examples feature a collapsible straw that requires a user to extend the straw to the usable length by grasping both the mouthpiece and the end being inserted into the drink. This maneuver requires that the user first disinfect their hands, something that is not always possible to do. Furthermore, reusable straws need to be rinsed after each use. Skipping this step will force a consumer to soil his or her hands during retraction process. Thus, the straws that presently exist in the art force a consumer to wash his or her hands twice. Once before using the straw and once after folding and cleaning the straw. The repeated hand sterilization is not always possible and is a huge inconvenience that presents a real impediment to mass adoption of reusable drinking straws.

Another major downside that exists in the present state of the art is the lack of convenient and stylish means of transporting a straw. Presently men require a pocket. Women will usually use a pocketbook or purse to stow the straw between uses. This forces a responsible consumer to always carry something with him, which in turn, exposes these stowage means to soling, degradation and loss. A far more optimal solution is to provide transportation means that can be easily carried on user's person, and yet be conveniently stowed out of the way on one's forearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B are a diagram of the disclosed device in fully retracted configuration.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a fully deployed reusable straw.

FIGS. 3A-3C diagram straw deployment.

FIGS. 4A-4D all feature diagrams of the case housing the folded straw.

FIGS. 4F, 4G and 4E demonstrate an alternative embodiment of the case.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the mouthpiece.

FIGS. 6A-6E demonstrate the various ways in which the disclosed device may be stowed and transported on user's body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Figures below demonstrate the collapsible and reusable straw 9 in its various stages of deployment and retraction. FIG. 1A and 1B demonstrates the device 1 that is comprised of an of a casing 4, a cap 2, and a collapsible straw 9. The casing 4 is a hollow sleeve for storing the telescoping folded sections of the collapsible straw 9. The collapsible straw 9 is attached to the mouthpiece sleeve 6, which also functions as the support frame for the sliding cap 2. The bottom end 40 of the lowest straw section enters the casing 4 through an opening at the top end 7. It is preferred that the sections of the straw 9 are made of stainless-steel alloys. The preferred overall length 62 of the casing 4 is in the range of 2 centimeters (cm) and 3.8 cm, and the overall length 63 of the casing 4 is in the range of 7 and 11 cm. When merged, the sidewalis of the casing 4 and the cap 2 are preferably flush with each other, making for a uniform width 64 of approximately 1.4 cm.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a fully deployed or extended collapsible straw 9. Shown are three telescoping sections, namely, the top section 8, the middle section 10 and the lower section 12. Alternatively, the number telescoping sections may be as few as two or as many as 5, depending on the thickness of materials used for the sidewall 21 of each individual section of the straw 9. Also shown is the mouthpiece 13 and the cap 2. The mouthpiece 13 may be a unitary section of the top section 8 or may exist as a separate sleeve as shown in FIG. 5.

It is notable that in the disclosed device, the cap 2 is not physically detached from the straw 9 in order to expose the spout. Rather, the cap 2 slides or twists along the length of the top section 8 or a separate sleeve 6 (FIGS. 1A or 5) to uncover the spout. Thus, a disposition of the cap 2 in the downward direction 23 would uncover the mouthpiece 13, while the disposition of the cap 2 in the upward direction 27 would conceal the mouthpiece 13. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the upward disposition 27 would serve to also expose surfaces 42 or 46 that communicate with surface 38 of the casing 4. It is notable that the top end 22 of the cap 2 is open to permit the passage of the top end 18 of the spout 13.

The process of deploying or extending the straw 9 is preferably done in a single motion by one hand of a user, preferably without coming into contact with the distal end 40 or the mouthpiece 13. The first way of doing so is to take hold of the cap 2 with one hand and the casing 4 with the other and pull the straw 9, with all sections collapsed into one. Then a user flicks or twists the hand that is holding the straw 9 with considerable alacrity, casing each individual sections of the straw 9 to self-extend due to the centrifugal force of the flick. At this point, the mouthpiece 13 is still covered by the cap 2. Therefore, a user then grabs hold of the straw 9 with the hand that had been holding the cap 2, or with the other hand, in the area between the lower lip 25 of the cap 2, and the dashed line 50. The dashed line 50 represents a theoretical approximate point along the length of the straw 9 that will preferably remain above a lid or a surface of the beverage being consumed using the straw 9. Then, while the hand is in this position, the user twists the cap 2, or slides the cap 2, and induces the cap in the downward direction 23 to expose the mouthpiece 13.

To collapse the straw drawn out in this fashion a user would remove the straw 9 from the beverage container while grasping the straw 9 with one hand in an area above the dashed line 50. With the thumb of this hand, the user will cause the cap 2 to be twisted or glided in the upward direction 27 to cover the mouthpiece 13. Then the user would insert the distal end 40 within the casing 4, and when the distal end 40 reaches the bottom wall 34 of the casing 4, the sections will fold under the insertion pressure exerted by the user, thereby folding the straw 9 into the casing 4. At this point the user is free to pack up the straw and move on with his or her business.

The straw may be deployed using an alternative method. In this method, along the length of the sidewall 37, there are at least two sections having a flexible membrane 60. The two sections of the flexible membrane 60 are placed opposite each other within the sidewall 37 (see FIG. 4E). The external surface 62 is used to depresses each of the flexible membranes 60 inwardly, causing the flexible pads 64, that protrude into the cavity 4 a, to come into contact with the sidewall 21 of the straw 9. Thus, the straw 9 starts out within the case 4, for example, during stowage or travel. To extract and extend the straw 9, a user clasps the cap 2 with one hand and squeezes the sections for flexible membrane 60 with the other hand (See FIG. 4G). While squeezing in the direction 66, the user pulls on the cap 2 in the direction 68 causing the sections of the straw 9 to extend. Once a desired or full degree elongation of each of the sections of the straw is reached, a user releases pressure on the flexible membranes 60, causing the distal end 40 to emerge from the case 4, now extended to the desired length. The other deployment steps are similar as in the flick method described above. Namely, the user clasps the straw 9 within the area between the lower lip 25 and the dashed line 50. The user then uses his/her thumb to twist or slide the cap 2 in the downward direction 23 or upward direction 27 to uncover or cover the mouthpiece 13. Retracting the extended sections again would be similar to the first method, namely casing the sections to telescope into one another by pressing the distal end 40 against the bottom surface 36.

FIGS. 3A-3C demonstrate the operation and mechanics of the cap 2. In FIG. 3A, the cap 2 is covering the mouthpiece 13. The cap 2 rides along threading 6 a of the sleeve 6. At point 41 the sleeve contains a lip 42 or a neck section 46. The lip 41 or the neck section 46 represent a point where the top section 8 connects with the sleeve 6. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 13 and the top section 8 may be a unitary element, with the flared section 6 serving as a support point for the cap 2. Depending on the preferred method of stowage within the casing 4, a lip 42 or the neck section 46 may be employed to communicate with the flared section 38 of the casing 4.

Shown in FIG. 3C the is top point 22 having an opening into the 23. The channel 23 passes through the entire length of the cap 2 and contains necessary means to slide along the surface of the sleeve 6, namely threading 6 a, or some form of sliding means, such as slots, rails or simple frictional surface.

The case 4 is shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and 4F. FIG. 4A demonstrates the casing 4 that is most suitable for use with the straw shown in FIG. 3B, or one which contains the neck portion 46. The cross-sectional diagram shown in FIG. 4A shows the case 4, the bottom wall 34, the bottom surface 36, and the sidewall 37. The casing 4 contains a hollow channel 4 a which holds the straw 9 in its folded stated during travel or stowage. One should note the rounded corners 35, that unlike angled connections, prevent an accumulation of food and dust residue that is then difficult to dislodge and flush during cleaning. The distal end 40 of the straw 9 abuts the rounded corners 35 and hovers right above the bottom surface 36, facilitating the drainage of residual droplets stuck inside the straw 9. This channeling of droplets away from the straw components prevents these droplets and access moisture from bonding together the various moving components of the straw 9, thus guaranteeing smooth deployment of the straw 9 prior to each use.

Also shown in FIG. 4A is a flared portion 38, where the sidewall 37 is widened up to the step 39. An additional metallic ring 31 may be lodged within the flared portion 38. The metallic ring 31 will then serve as a latch for the magnetized neck portion 46 (FIG. 3B). Alternatively, the flared portion 38, with or without the metallic ring 31 can serve as a friction inducing surface for the neck portion 46.

FIG. 4B shows an alternate embodiment of the case 4. The case 4 in FIG. 4B is shown having the sidewall 37, the neck section 38 containing the slot 39 b. The bottom wall 34 is shown as separate component that snaps onto the sidewall 37 at points 37 a. The bottom wall 35 a is shown as a detachable component of the sidewall 37, such that the bottom wall 34 can be dismounted from the rest of the case 4 for cleaning.

The case shown in FIG. 4b accommodates the embodiment of the straw shown in FIG. 3A. The straw 9 in FIG. 3A contains a lip 42, which functions as a barb that is lodged within the slot 39 b while the straw 9 is inserted within the case 4.

FIGS. 4C and 4D demonstrate the outer dimensions of the case 4. Shown is the bottom wall 34. The sidewall 37 preferably has a smooth exterior surface 4 b and is preferably made from insulating and environmentally friendly materials, such as metal alloys, wood or grass fiber, or stone. The lip 33 forms a border encircling the opening 33 a to the internal cavity 4 a.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the sleeve 4 that forms the base for the sliding cap 4. Shown is the top end 18 that forms an opening 19. The channel 19 a is in direct communication with the liquid channel formed by the components of the straw 9. The sidewall 18 a is thickened at the threaded section 18 b. The thicker sidewall at the threaded section 18 b contains threading 7 or other contours that assist in controlled disposition of the cap 4 along the surface of the sidewall 18 a. The threaded section 18 b then contains a neck portion 46 that is terminated with a lip 42. The bottom point 49 is then attached to the top point 40 a (FIG. 2) of the straw 9. As described in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sleeve embodiment may contain an elongated neck portion 46, without the lip 42. Once the cap 2 has been fully affixed to the connector sleeve 6, the bottom section is twisted over the remaining exposed thread lines 7, thus the completely collapsed device 1 featuring the cap 2 and the case 4 that are securely attached to the connector sleeve 6 causing the straw 9 be firmly held in place while in transport without rattling swimming around the internal 10 cavity 4 a.

FIGS. 6A-6E describe a means of transporting the device 1 when not in use. A major drawback of prior art devices is that they need to be carried around in pockets, bags, pocketbooks wallets and phone cases. Meaning, all of them must hitch a ride inside an article of clothing or together with a user's personal items. For this reason, they expose other items to the danger of soiling, and the devices themselves run a significant risk of being lost or left behind. The disclosed device resolves this problem with a harness system that is uniquely configured specifically for the disclosed device.

Shown in FIG. 6A is the disclosed collapsible straw device 1, being carried on a forearm 70 of a user. The disclosed harness system is comprised of at least two bands, where the first 20 band 90 a wraps around the forearm 70. The first band 90 a is then integrally connected to a second band 90 b which is sufficiently wide to let the case 4 pass therethrough, and yet sufficiently narrow so as to retain a snug grip around the case 4. A third band 92 a wraps around a user's forearm 70, forward of the first band 90 a, and approximately near a user's wrist. Disposed at the top portion 92 c of the third band 92 a is a plug cover 92 b. The plug cover is inserted into the opening 23 a (FIG. 30 of the cap 2. Thereby, the harness, which consists of the first band 90 a and at least a second band 92 b establishes two points of connection to the disclosed collapsible straw device 1, holding the same firmly by the side of user's hand. In this manner the disclosed collapsible straw device 1 is both secured, out of the way, and yet ready for usage at any 5 moment. The disclosed components of the harness may be placed anywhere along the length of the forearm 70 or the upper arm (not shown). Appreciably, the harness may consist of just the first band 90 a in combination with the second band 90 b.

FIG. 6B demonstrates the arrangement from the top. Shown is the second band 90 b, that is attached adjacently to first band 90 a. The second band 90 b secures the case 4. A third band 92 a 10 is disposed in a parallel, spaced apart configuration with the first band 90 a along the same arm 70 of a user. It is preferable that first, second and third bands, 90 a, 90 b, 92 a, respectively, are elastic. The order in which they are inserted over the arm 70 is not important but is rather a matter of preference for the user.

FIG. 6C. is another embodiment of the disclosed harness. Shown is a first band 90 a, the second band 90 b, the third band 92 a and a flap 92 b that is capable of pivoting about its point of attachment 92 c to the third band 92 a. The flap 92 b contains the plug 92 b that is inserted into the opening 33 a of the cap 2. It should be appreciated that the second band 92 b and the flap 92 c need to line up along the same linear axis to securely retain the disclosed straw device 1.

FIGS. 6D and 6E demonstrate alternative embodiments of the harness. In FIG. 6D, the 20 harness is comprised of a first band 90 a in combination with the second band 90 b. At least one third band 92 a is placed in parallel and spaced apart association with the first band 90 a along the same arm. In this case the third band 92 a is attached adjacently to the third band 93. The third band 93 is analogous to the second band 92 a, meaning that the combination of first and second bands 90 a and 90 b respectively may serve as a third and fourth band combinations to complete the disclosed harness system. In FIG. 6E the fourth band 93 is augmented by the presence of the flab 92 b with the plug 92 d. Also visible is FIG. 6E is the alternative embodiment of the case 4 having flexible membrane 60 along the length of the sidewall 37.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A portable drinking straw comprising; at least two telescoping sections, wherein a top section of said at least two telescoping sections is narrower than a bottom section of said at least two telescoping sections; a connector sleeve disposed at top portion of said top section, said connector sleeve serving as a support surface for a cap; wherein said cap is configured to shift up and down along said surface of said sleeve; a mouthpiece in line with said sleeve, wherein a channel of said mouthpiece is in direct communication with a channel of said drinking straw; a case, said case having a sidewall and a bottom wall forming a hollow cavity within said case; wherein said case having an open end opposite said bottom wall; wherein said open end of said case configured to receive the bottom section of said portable drinking straw; wherein said case detachingly coupling with a bottom end of said connector sleeve when said at least two telescoping sections are fully folded into each other and stowed within said hollow cavity; and wherein said case is further comprised of a neck portion for detachingly coupling to said bottom end of said sleeve.
 2. The portable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein said bottom end of said sleeve further comprising a lip; wherein said lip fitting within a slot within said neck portion.
 3. The portable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein said bottom end of said sleeve forming a neck portion; and wherein said neck portion capable of magnetically clasping with said neck portion.
 4. The portable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein said cap having an opening at top end to allow a passage of said mouthpiece; and wherein said cap is configured to be displaced along said sleeve to cover or uncover said mouthpiece.
 5. The portable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the only visible components during the fully collapsed stage of said portable drinking straw are the case and the cap.
 6. The portable drinking straw of claim 1 wherein a bottom wall of said case having convex shaped bottom surface within said hollow cavity.
 7. The portable drinking straw of claim 1, further comprising a harness; wherein said harness is configured to transport said portable drinking straw.
 8. The portable drinking straw of claim 7, wherein said harness is further comprised of a first band, said first band snugly wrapped about a person's arm; wherein said first band obliquely attached to a second band; and wherein said second band configured to permit said case or said cap to be snugly retained therein.
 9. The portable drinking straw of claim 8, wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band, said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a flap configured to securely retain said cap; and wherein said flap linearly aligning with said second band.
 10. The portable drinking straw of claim 8, wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band, said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a fourth band linearly aligned with said second band; said fourth band snugly retaining a portion of said portable drinking straw therein.
 11. The portable drinking straw of claim 8, wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band, said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a fourth band linearly aligned with said second band; said fourth band snugly retaining a portion of said portable drinking straw therein; and said fourth band associated with a flap attaching to said third band; and wherein said flap configured to securely retain said cap.
 12. A portable drinking straw comprising; at least two telescoping sections, wherein a top section of said at least two telescoping sections is narrower than a bottom section of said at least two telescoping sections; a connector sleeve disposed at top portion of said top section, said connector sleeve serving as a support surface for a cap; wherein said cap is configured to shift upwardly or downwardly along said surface of said sleeve; a mouthpiece in line with said sleeve, wherein a channel of said mouthpiece is in direct communication with a channel of said drinking straw; said cap having an opening at top end to allow a passage of said mouthpiece; wherein said cap is configured to be displaced along said sleeve to cover or uncover said mouthpiece; a case having a hollow cavity for storing said portable drinking straw, said case having a sidewall and a bottom wall; wherein said case being open at one end; wherein said open end of said case configured to receive the bottom section of said portable drinking straw; wherein said case detachingly coupling with a bottom end of said connector sleeve when said at least two telescoping sections are fully folded into each other.
 13. The portable drinking straw of claim 12, wherein said sidewall of said case further comprising at least two flexible membranes, wherein said at least two flexible membranes configured to be in parallelly and oppositely situated to each other along said sidewall of said case; and wherein each of said at least two flexible membranes configured to flex into said cavity when subject to external pressure force to come into contact with a sidewall of said portable drinking straw.
 14. The portable drinking straw of claim 13, wherein each of said at least two flexible membranes is further comprised of flexible pads protruding into said cavity.
 15. The portable drinking straw of claim 13, wherein said bottom end of said sleeve further comprising a lip; wherein said lip fitting within a slot within a neck portion of said case.
 16. The portable drinking straw of claim 13, wherein said bottom end of said sleeve forming a neck portion; and wherein said neck portion capable of magnetically clasping with a neck portion of said case.
 17. The portable drinking straw of claim 12, further comprising a harness; wherein said harness is configured to transport said portable drinking straw; wherein said harness is comprised of a first band, said first band snugly wrapped about a person's arm; wherein said first band obliquely attached with a second band; wherein said second band configured to permit said case or said cap to be snugly retained therein; wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band, said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a flap configured to securely retain said cap; and wherein said flap linearly aligning with said second band.
 18. The portable drinking straw of claim 13, further comprising a harness; wherein said harness is configured to transport said portable drinking straw; wherein said harness is comprised of a first band, said first band snugly wrapped about a person's arm; wherein said first band obliquely attached with a second band; wherein said second band configured to permit said case or said cap to be snugly retained therein; wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band, said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a fourth band linearly aligned with said second band; said fourth band snugly retaining a portion of said portable drinking straw therein.
 19. The portable drinking straw of claim 12, further comprising a harness; wherein said harness is configured to transport said portable drinking straw; wherein said harness is comprised of a first band, said first band snugly wrapped about a person's arm; wherein said first band obliquely attached with a second band; wherein said second band configured to permit said case or said cap to be snugly retained therein; wherein said harness is further comprised of a third band. said third band being in a parallel and spaced apart association with said first band; wherein said third band wrapping around user's arm; and said third band having a fourth band linearly aligned with said second band; said fourth band snugly retaining a portion of said portable drinking straw therein; and said fourth band associated with a flap attaching to said third band; and wherein said flap configured to securely retain said cap.
 20. A method deploying and folding a drinking straw while avoiding contact with surfaces of said straw that come into contact with a drinking liquid comprising the steps of grasping a cap by one and of a user; said cap being in a slided association with said drinking straw; grasping a bottom section of a folded drinking straw with the other hand of said user through a case holding said collapsed portion therein; pulling on said cap to extend sections of said collapsed straw and then releasing the hold on said case to remove the bottom section; hold a section of the drinking straw just below the cap and use one of the fingers of the same hand to shift the cap downward along the drinking straw to uncover a mouthpiece; place the bottom section of the straw into liquid and commence drinking; grasp the cap with one hand and pull the drinking straw out of said liquid; hold a section of the drinking straw below the cap and use one of the fingers of the same hand to shift the cap upward along the drinking straw to cover the mouthpiece; use the same hand to guide the bottom section into an open end of the case until the bottom section rests against a bottom wall of the case; and continue pressing against the cap to cause telescoping sections of the drinking straw to be inserted into the bottom section, until a bottom end of the cap touches the top end of the case. 